Best Camera of 2012: And the Winner is...

Just before Christmas we invited you, our readers to tell us what you thought was the best camera of 2012. This year was one of the busiest that any of us can remember, and saw serious new products from all the major manufacturers. This was the year of the groundbreaking 36MP Nikon D800, the incredibly ambitious Olympus OM-D as well as an all-new system cameras from Fujifilm, with the innovative X-Pro 1 and X-E1. Sony had an amazingly busy year as well, bringing us the great value SLT A-57 and the feature-packed SLT-A99, along with a host of NEX upgrades. Canon wasn't idle either, and consolidated its enthusiast-oriented DSLRs with the long-awaited EOS 5D Mark III and, at the end of the year, the EOS 6D. Meanwhile, Pentax revamped its popular K-5 with the new K-5 II and K-5 IIs and introduced its first large-sensor mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the K-01 which was... interesting.

Our shortlist didn't contain the K-01, but we've gone over the figures, made a list and counted it twice, read most of the comments (and thanks to the majority of you who kept them constructive) and now we're ready to give you the results! So without further ado, with almost 15,000 votes and almost 1500 comments, here are the top three cameras of 2012, as voted by you, dpreview readers.

In third place... Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon's EOS 5D and 5D Mark II were hugely successful cameras, making the 5D Mark III one of the most anticipated new releases of the year. The 5D Mark III has a 22MP full frame sensor in a body that's based on the EOS 7D design, and with a 61-point AF system borrowed from the flagship EOS-1D X. Compared to its predecessor the Mark III is essentially a completely new model, with every major system upgraded and updated.

When we reviewed the 5D Mark III back in March we praised its excellent Raw image quality, reliable metering and fluid ergonomics. Thanks to its greatly improved AF system and a few well thought-out tweaks to the rest of the feature set the 5D Mark III is in many ways the camera we wanted the 5D Mark II to be, and it was easily one of the top cameras of 2012.

In second place... Nikon D800 / D800E

Purely from the point of view of specification, Nikon's D800 and its sister model the D800E drew a lot of attention in 2012. Successor to the venerable D700, the D800 tripled that camera's pixel count and included several features borrowed from the professional D4, at around half the price. The D800E variant offers improved resolution for $300 more, thanks to an innovative sensor design that has the effects of its anti-aliasing filter cancelled out. Both cameras offer a very compelling video specification, too.

We were highly impressed by the D800 and D800E when we tested them in June, both by the performance of their 36MP sensors, and also their handling, which on the whole, improves upon previous models in some meaningful ways. Of all the cameras we tested during 2012 we kept going back to the D800 because of its addictive blend of excellent performance, solid image quality and pleasant ergonomics. This is one camera whose specification is unlikely to look out of date anytime soon.

And in first place... The Olympus OM-D EM-5

Pipping the Nikon D800/E by one percentage point in the overall count, the Olympus OM-D EM-5 won out in this year's poll by a whisker. Although a very different camera to the D800, the OM-5 EM-5 is a seriously impressive product. With the launch of the E-M5, Olympus harks back to one of its most fondly-remembered camera systems - the Olympus OM range of 35mm SLRs. Initially the E-M5 looked like it might simply be an upgraded E-P3 with a built-in viewfinder, but in use it proved much more than that - probably the most competent enthusiast mirrorless camera so far.

When we reviewed the OM-D in April we commented on its excellent image quality which at that point set a benchmark for Micro Four Thirds cameras. As we'd expect from Olympus it's also an incredible customizable camera, and with the huge range of compatible Micro Four Thirds lenses available it's also one of the most versatile. About the only thing the OM-D can't do well is continuous autofocus, but if you can live with this limitation, it stands as one of the best cameras currently on the market, and a worthy winner of our poll.

Comments

Arf! Are we supposed to take this seriously! The poor chap that dashed out and purchased one on this advice! The best camera is the one that feels comfortable in the hand and we all have different sized hands. That is simplistic to operate to get the picture we want, when we want it. The best tool for one person is not the best tool for someone else so........dare it be said, pointless!

To me, like the car of the year competition I mentioned previously a camera should be new or substantially changed to be worthy of this award.

On the outside the D800's look like any orher Nikon dSLR. It may be changed in the "engine compartment", but how boring would life be if they only changed things under the hoods of cars, if cars still looked like they looked in the 80's, cars like the K-car, Fiesta, or the Chevette.

@Mike i dont care what anyone says .. The Chevette is still a cool looking car, particularly the before 1980 models. I only wish there still was one that looked like it but had better things underneath the hood... Like a 4x4 Chevette, ... Ooooo, that would be cool.

why Nikon D800 OR D800E</a> in second place.? I think it is deserve to be at first position. Well that was true in 2012 before christmas was the very busiest days ever had. Well any way the good result is shown.

2eyesee wrote: "Obviously if you're serious about shallow DOF full-frame is the only way to go,"

No it isn't, guess you never used a medium or large format camera...135/35mm (I REFUSE to say "full frame" since it's not a proper term) format is not the "be all and end all" of photography. Each format is a compromise between benefits and negatives.

My first camera was medium format, I've shot with 135/35mm for 20 years, I've shot with a camera taller than a person that uses upto 24"x36" sheet film, but now my choice for 6 years has been FourThirds, and now it's Micro FourThirds.

Out of all those cameras there's NONE I can say is best, or the only way to go...I can say there's only best for me right now, and right now that's the OM-D!

As for shallow DOF, it's only one factor with photography...but even with my tiny sensor bridge camera I managed to get shallow DOF when I wanted it...it all has to do with your skills and knowledge about photography.

Given that probably 3 or maybe 4 members on this entire site can afford a digital medium format system, you can understand why it never occurred to 2eyesee as an option. Medium format is also soundly trounced in the noise department by a full frame and even APS-C DSLRs at medium to high ISOs. So if you shoot above base ISO regularly and need shallow DOF, full frame is indeed the best way to go.

You will appreciate that I limited my discussion to Full Frame, APC-C and M43 given that none of the cameras in this poll are Medium Format.

I think we are actually quite like-minded in our views. The OM-D is the best camera for you at present, but you seem to respect the fact that it might not be the best for everyone. That's not what I've been hearing from some of the OM-D zealots on this thread!

I accept shallow DOF is only one factor in photography. I was just using as a specific reason M43 won't be suitable for some - and why it's not about to render Full Frame obselete.

I do take issue with you on how well you can achieve 'shallow DOF' on your 'tiny sensor' bridge camera, however. What you are talking about is background blur - which you can achieve with the right combination of background separation from subject, focal length and distance to subject on any camera. That's not the same thing as having the shallow DOF that a large sensor with a fast lens can offer.

Ive been reading this post for the past 3 weeks and its so funny and entertaining. Cmon man, dont be bitter. I signed up just to send you a note. I know you are hard core Nikon fan...like me, but back then. I have still have my ol reliable D90 then switch to M43. Currently owns GH2 and OMD. I assume you know Thom Hogan, the most hardcore and top notch Nikon guy. He owns a M43 site which is Sansmirror.com. Dude believe me, this guys uses OMD for most of the time now and he knows this is the future a awarded this camera as as serious pro, but he still a Nikon guy and he also believes FF format is dead. So don't be bitter if the D800 lost coz you sound like it. Yes D800 is a damn great camera, but dude you gotta move on man, just accept the fact m43 will overshadow FF in the near future. It's Canon and Nikon's fault that they did not supported M43 4-5 years ago in which Panasonic and Olympus started it all.

If Canon and Nikon decided to produce a great M43 this year or the next coming year....that will not happen bcoz of financial reasons, It will kill the sales of their entry level T3i, T4i and D3000..etc. plus their lens line up. And a lot of angry current customer.

Even if Micro 4/3 is as successful as you think it will be, does that necessarily mean it will kill off other systems like Full-Frame? Why would you even want it to? Isn't choice and competition good for consumers?

So you've found a 'Nikon guy' (Thom Hogan) who uses OMD. That's great if he finds it suits his needs. Does it make you feel better about you owning an OMD?

I had a Micro 4/3 camera and wouldn't go back to it. I had the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens and was disappointed at the lack of ability to produce shallow depth of field due to the smaller M43 sensor. If I am going to have to carry a camera around in a bag it might as well be at least APS-C.

I've eventually settled on the RX100 as I needed something pocketable, and in the RX100 we finally have such a camera that approaches DSLR in image quality.

That's just me though. If you like your OMD, great - I just don't see why you feel the need for global domination.

I don't feel better that I own an OMD. Cmon man of course I will melt if I have a D800, 5D, RX1, or a M9 Leica. Im just telling the guy "Marike6" to move on...coz he sound bitter that D800 lost. Thom Hogan accepted that OMD is a great camera but he still uses Nikon. OMD is not a global domination, M43 it's a future for photography and it might..Okay "MIGHT" replace the FF, considering a lot of experts says FF is dead. And of course you'll never know, another new sensor might come up soon. I'm just happy to see some small companies are integrating new ideas in photography. I know Canon and Nikon has its own M43 but its not up to par with the rest.

BTW, I did not found Thom Hogan. I know photography, and that's the reason I know him. It's like I'm a die hard NBA fan and I didn't know Larry Bird. Dude, before you post something about this guy, you should do your research. This guy is a saint in Photography.

You sound like a reasoned man - sorry if I lumped you in with the other OMD zealots on this thread.

I don't know anything about Thom Hogan, but from what you said he's obviously a highly respected photographer who has found the OMD a great camera for his requirements. I respect that, but that doesn't make it any more suitable as a camera for me or you or anyone else - that's all I was saying.

For me, there were 2 reasons I went from P&S to DSLR 5 years ago: high ISO performance and shallow DOF. M43 has the ISO performance, but does fall short somewhat in the ability to achieve shallow DOF. I've owned both M43 and NEX and prefer NEX for this reason.

M43 users gloss over this shortcoming, but that's fine. If achieving shallow DOF was important to them they wouldn't have gone with M43 in the first place. All cameras have compromises.

Obviously if you're serious about shallow DOF full-frame is the only way to go, so I can hardly see how the format is 'dead'.

What Henry2013 was saying that its too late for other company to follow the line with four third which is true and correct. Changing it would not be a great idea after all as since there are so many lens out there fits for the FF and APS-C camera. So to me in this to date it is unlikely that other than Olympus and Panasonic will become four third one day. It'll probably only stay as olympus and panasonic onlly for now.

I would believed what Everdog says about PDAF Hoax and total ripoff. How do you feel by that? That would really irritate lots of Nex's user. Well unfortunately it happens. Company can be naughty sometimes. :P

@Everdog"Sorry, but NEX failed to even get mentioned in any "Camera of the Year" talk."

Sorry, but Digital Camera Info awarded the NEX-7 Best Compact System Camera of 2012 - ahead of EM-5 (http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/Features/2012-DigitalCameraInfo-Best-of-Year-Awards.htm).

We know - you've got a great camera in the EM-5. I've got a great camera too - for what I need (RX100). We all have different requirements - Full Frame may be of no use to you, but Micro 4/3 is of no use for me (something pocketable).

Mirrorless is an emerging market and will grab some market share from users of other cameras - DSLR looking to downsize and P&S looking to upgrade. But you're all getting rather over-excited if you think it's going to be the 'death' of DSLR or APS-C or whatever.

"According to "Just Posted", only P&S cameras and smartphones can be "Camera of the Year" because they sell the best"

Sorry you must really be confused with yourself about the OMD winning the popularitiy poll (a poll on a largerly 43rds based fwebsite) which has been pointed out has no merit when compared to when people vote with there Wallets. According to your theory that Popular means best and so the point if that is tru then Vote in sales (the best criteria) means the NEX is better, it was your measure, not anyone elses.

And then we have little Everdog ("coroander") spouting off about how "flicker" stats prove the EM-5 is the best which is a strange point as like you said then P&S and Iphone wins and as someone pointed out the fact is on Flicker there are 10x more photos uploaded by NEX cameras everyday than EM-5s so no win there for the 34rds trolls. I dont know why you seem so dissatsfied with your cameras, is it sensor size for such a large camera?

I think everyone knows how good the EM-5 is, its just that you and a few other 43rds troll fanboys seem very limited in your knowledge about other caeras.But its understandable that if this is the first time you have had a camera with an interchangable lens, it must be overwhelmingly exciting for you. Suggest you go out and take pictures with it and post them on "Flicker".

Olympus produce very good quality glass lens. So what are you talking about small sensor nonsense then. Hahaha! I found that new EM-5 is as good IQ as APS-C sensor or larger with terrific Olympus lens quality.

According to "Just Posted", only P&S cameras and smartphones can be "Camera of the Year" because they sell the best. The D800e and D800 must be terrible!Please tell us who you really are and quit creating new IDs for posting here!

I think the D600 should have won or come in 2nd. Compare it to the Sony A99 which cost twice as much and performs 1/2 as well.

Well said everdog! I like smaller and lighter weight mirrorless even some smaller SLR camera still even light enough. Those would be vote high rank so easily. That's what people are looking for is smaller, light weight and easy to carry instead of horribly big bulky and stupidly heavy weight camera.

Not enough attention to your Flicker account, people don't like your pcitures or you just don't enjoy using your camera? I just recieved the new 35/1.8 OSS lens and am having a great time as well as testing a nice 12mm (16 eqv) I am still enjoying the really affordable 5n. Waiting for some adapters for some old Legacy stuff my nef is giving me and I know it will be enjoyable fun to use the MF focuss peaking with some wide open fast old primes etc.

Just relax and go get out and take some pictures and quit trolling ok?

There goes another basher from Pentax fan here. *Yawn* Sorry I know who the aliases are and are a pentax fan a big lair that MaxISO own Sony obviously does not and is own Pentax most of time. And just still come here and claim he still has Sony camera or still get Sony but once again MaxISO still own Pentax he preferred cos of all weather sealed he is obsessing with. Care factor zero on those basher who continue bash Olympus and 4/3 fan. But they are entitle to have opinion but it is absolutely pointless to keep bashing Olympus and 4/3 fan. Those who bash are nothing but no value to photography. Have some respect on those fan please. And that's the last message from me for this winner of year forum. If I see one more. That will go in the sin bin. You know what it is.

@Everdog - there are so many of you amateur whiners here it is unbelievable.

The A99 is Sony's top of the line pro body. Compared to other mid-tier bodies like the 5D Mk III and D800 which it is pitched against, its actually great value. If you can't afford it despite the value proposition, just suck it up and make do with your D600. A pro would never regard a D600 as a main body, at most a spare.

Just Posted: Read my lips: Who use the most mirrorless camera available today to date: Panasonic and Olympus 4/3. Who has the most available lens for the mirrorless: Olympus 4/3. Who has built in IS in mirrorless camera: Olympus 4/3. Nex did not meet all specific requirement in competition to beat others and failed. Nex con is: No built in IS, less lens available, to get more lens available separated adapter must be purchased first and to have IS available lens must be purchased that has built in IS. That will make Nex hobby more expensive than Olympus overall for example. Olympus is still the most affordable mirrorless camera to date. Do you get the picture? Everyone can have entitle to have opinion on brand but remember these above are the reason why. Sony starts mirrorless a lot later than Panasonic and Olympus first made it way back then. And finally now Canon is first time make one mirrorless camera this time but only first time ever. While Pentax started a lot later too.

Also Fujifilm started later too. So among these few company will take a while to have more lens at later time. Patience is required if you own any other than Panasonic and Olympus. Oh and Olympus IQ is still as good as APS-C or better.

What camera is small enough to put in your pocket (with 16mm pancake or 16-50 pancake) so that you can and will take it everywhere, yet, yet it has a bigger better sensor for low light situations? Not the EM-5 thats for sure.

And more lenses? Besides the now many new great lens just released and still more from Zeiss I can us cannon, Nikon or sorts of legacy glass and with focuss peaking manual AF is more fun than on the EM-5.And how wide can you go? Hows that F-stop limit working for you? Sure I know, "what limit?"IBIS? Wow I know its good but can it keep the kids from moving? Does it frezze Football. Baseball Basketball players? Birds? Anything else? Your hands are shaking that much? Thats a lot of money for camera but hey its your dime and I am sure it takes great pictures for you to stare at on Flicker on your Ipad.

So what? Its a scale that a person choses, what exactly is your point? The fast that most people use a 1/2.3 sensor P&S means You should sell your mirroless and buy one of those? Nonsense!

You chose a smaller scale mirrorless format, good for you. Others like myself my chose a larger format in a smaller camera body for other reasons, its a personal choice that you seem to be trying to impose on everyone else. Why are you trying so hard? It kind of sounds like you are trying really hard to convince yourself that you made the right choice. Maybe you should find out more about other cameras and then you would know for sure instead of sounding so insecure.

Affordable? The EM-5 with its smaller sensor and big body that doesn't work as well for low light or for carrying around with you at all times? err ok what ever you say, good choice for you, enjoy but not for me, no thanks.

"The EM-5 with its smaller sensor and big body that doesn't work as well for low light or for carrying around with you at all times? err ok what ever you say, good choice for you, enjoy but not for me, no thanks."

The is my problem with the omd as well. The body size is a very good balance of size, weight and physical controls but why did they put a such a small sensor in it? It could easily support an APS-C or maybe even FF sensor with a body that size.

@naththo The EM5 IQ is only just starting to approach the IQ of the almost 5 year old sensor in the 650D. If you compare it to any modern APS-C sensor it is a very different story. Plus there is DOF issues and lack of true pro quality glass for M4/3s. No matter how much you gnash your teeth and make personal attacks you simply can't change the laws of physics. A current generating APS-C sensor will always be better at shallow DOF and high ISOs and do it with more megapixels than a current generation m4/3s sensor.

@Josh152 I don't own an EM5 but planning to buy one after trying it out. Found it to have better IQ than my old T2i. Also, looking at DxO, it has a better score than any Canon APS-C and close to NEX. So, what you say regarding it's IQ is baseless. As for DOF, having more is not an "issue". There are certainly enough fast primes for m4/3, more than Canon EF-S lenses. I use a 45/1.8 on a PEN and it has good bokeh while being really sharp. Even though I have an older PEN (the EPL2), it was good enough to make me sell the T2i and its lenses. The EM5 has much better IQ than the previous PENs, but the current crop of Canon APS-C is no better in IQ than the old T2i.

Again you are talking about the almost 5 year old 18MP canon APS-C sensors. They are hardly state of the art anymore. Every thing I said is true and stands up if you understand that Canon hasn't' released a new APS-C sensor in almost 5 years. An M4/3s sensor finally being as good as a 5 year old canon design that wasn't as good as it's competitors from Sony/Nikon when it was released is nothing to brag about. It says more about how far behind canon's sensor have become than it does about m4/3s.

Even you admit the newer sensor in the NEX cameras are better. That is my point. Try comparing the OMD to a D3200 or D7000 or NEX 6 or 7 or any APS-C camera with a current or close to current generation sensor.

Having trouble getting shallow DOF is an issue for many. The fact that you dont' mind it doesn't chage that it is considered disadvantageous to many if not most photographers.

Just because you have 5 IDs doesn't mean everyone else does. Or maybe I am actually Andy Hendriksen. :) http://www.thephoblographer.com/2012/06/21/op-ed-why-i-sold-everything-for-the-olympus-om-d-e-m5/There sure a a lot of us who now love the E-M5 and we didn't all create 5 new IDs last week! EDIT: I just read you might really be Nevercat (explains a lot). Is that true? Or are you MaxISO? We would love to know!

Just Posted known as MaxISO only use Pentax mostly, its called Pentax Obsession he is obsessing with. That's his only one of a kind. He doesn't care about other. He probably did had a Sony camera but he shifted to Pentax for some reason the obsession with weather sealed is the one. He cannot get off obsession. :P

The standard of debate in this thread has deteriorated (if that was possible) beyond any sense of reason.

I don't know what I find more ridiculous - your comment or the fact that 6 people actually 'liked' it (so far). Some of the anti m43 comments have been over the top, but you m43 users aren't showing yourselves in a great light either.

And by the way - I don't fit any of your categories. I am a former m43 owner who has now moved to an RX100.

m43 is fine for some, but the system fell short for me in it's ability to produce shallow depth of field. I had the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 and felt a little short changed as it certainly didn't feel like f/1.8 in terms of depth of field. And if I'm going to have to carry a camera around in a bag it might as well be nothing less than an APS-C sized sensor.

But that's just me. If you love your m43 that's great - go and enjoy it.

I Agree 100% It is comments from m4/3 evangelists like this one from Everdog that have caused all the fuss. As I have pointed out before there is a small but very vocal segment of the M4/3s community that desperately needs M4/3s to be the best and indeed only format. They judge M4/3s success or failure by number of converts like it is some kind of religion. It is very bizarre.

No one would be argue with them or even care about this poll if they weren't acting like M4/3 was superior to all other formats and was going to replace everything. That idea is so ridiculous people can't help but point it out. At that point the m4/3 evangelists acts like a Christan who has just been told Jesus never existed and we're off to the races.

I feel the same way about M4/3s cameras. If I am already carrying a camera that expensive that wont fit in a pocket it might as well be at least an entry level DLSR with a decent sized sensor, OVF, and much better focusing and ergonomics.

More troll trying to bash 4/3 once again. Oh really? I don't see any problem with 4/3 sensor quality. I have seen EM-5 IQ is as good as APS-C or better. And Olympus knows how to make good quality glass lens. They aren't stupid. They are smart.

Really naththo? Trolling? Disagreeing the M4/3s is the end all and be all of photography is not trolling. Accusing other posters of using multiple accounts with no evidence is however. So is the ridiculous statement that Everdog made. The only trolls on these comments are you and your fellow M4/3s evangelists who feel the need to stamp out any negative opinions about the E-M5 and m4/3s in general with over the top claims about it's greatness and personal attacks. The only thing such behavior does is marginalize you guys and everything you say as just fanboy talk.

It is ok if you prefer the EM-5 and m4/3s in general even if other people have the opinion that there are other cameras that are over all better choices. If you prefer M4/3s and the EM-5 that is all the justification you need. It doesn't' matter if it really is as good or as bad as other people think. So stop trying to convince everyone that m4/3s and/or the EM-5 is the best camera ever and just enjoy using it.

Reality check:DigitalVista is a ID created a few days ago to only to spread FUD in this one comment section. He won't admit what his real ID is.In fact, it is very likely he is the same guy with the all the other IDs here created on the 1st and 2nd.

Also, you can see his tactics. He admits Flickr has MORE users for the OMD than the NEX 5 or NEX 5N, both of which have been available much longer than the OMD, but then tries to combine those cameras to give an unfair advantage!

What is funnier is he wants us to be amazed that a cameras that have been out for a few years combined have more pictures on that site than one that has only been out for months! LOL!

DigitalVista/Pal2012/Just Posted, just admit who you really are and move on.

He will never stop really. He won't and I don't think he will ever stop soon in future. It will be a lot of work for the poor Dpreview to clean it up the mess of same identical but many aliases. Although I think dpreview is sick of it already and can't be bothered to do more of it over again.

See what I mean? He never will stop. That's the only simple reason why. Olympus did very well with IQ from four third sensor. It is as good as any other camera like as good as APS-C or better. IBIS-5 is very clever invention too! Only good picture can be taken is by photography who has well knowledge to it that will come out good IQ. If camera is not handled/mishandle well IQ won't be good still. Photography skill is still required for any camera to use it.

Not only "what you though" as a DP reader, but also apparently about all the four thirds forums from other site that "got the call" from the four thirds forum here. So as other have pointed out, its been just for fun, not real serious answer to the question. Think of it more like a "who is the best singer of all time" and all the kiddies network all vote for MJ. Most popular sometimes dont mean squat when stuff like that happens. Its been fun though.

Yo, naththo,The NEX 7 came out in late 2011 NOT 2012. And, DPR said if you ask they would add any camera to the poll.

Also, Sordid is right. Far more people own Canikon than Olympus which makes Olympus winning even more remarkable. What helps is that many E-M5 owners were former Canikon owners (hence the resentment), and my bet is many that voted were current Canikon owners considering the change. There seems to be a few new former DSLR owners posting in the M43 forum every day.

The Nex-7 was announced late 2011 but supply was seriously affected by the Thailand floods so it only readily became available in 2012.

I'm not sure if dpReview staff didn't consider it because it was officially released in 2011 or it just didn't make the cut in their eyes, but digitalcamerainfo.com actually rated it as the best Compact System Camera of 2012, ahead of the EM-5.

The EM-5 is a great camera, but there are other great cameras out their too. Remember, it's a readers poll. Completely unscientific - even a dpReview staff member described it in these comments as "just a bit of fun".

To me that means that more users of one camera votes than others!!! Good on them. But seriously, so what!! I'm still going to buy the camera I like regardless. My first camera was a Nikon so i will buy another Nikon even though a pro coleague said I should switch to Canon.

I think I'll take my anger out on the scum bags that light deliberate bushfires instead.

Suggest you reread the original poll (not to mention what it says in the image at the top of this page)...it says, "Dpreview Users' Poll", that means it's a poll of "Dpreview" users. You don't have to use or even own any of the camera's listed to vote...you just have to be a user of "Dpreview"!

I haven't even vote at all as I haven't own these camera in the vote list. Its all about honest. Only previous camera I had were Canon 10D, 50D, 7D, Powershot Pro1. Now currently I am on Sony Nex 7. And these are not listed in the poll so pointless for me to put vote on.

Hi Chris. Yeah I am so furious about those twerp who lit the fire to start a horrendous bushfire in NSW! I felt so sorry for poor innocent home and building being burnt down and some animals were either killed/injured and lose their home. Really am annoyed about it. I hope that judge in court of NSW will take it very seriously and give them a hefty imprisonment sentence. Its no fun when I see these beautiful place being destroyed. But we have to move on with life really. They will be in no doubt renew their life and start again from scratch. :)

Pal2012, Just Posted and Nevercat all may be the same person. 2 of those IDs were create a few days ago, post only to this one comment section and they all resort to name calling when proven wrong.

It is true that most M43 owners were former DSLR owners and therefore not entrenched fanbois. Clearly some here are expressing sour grapes over the fact that DSLR owners are switching droves. btw, I have owned several NEX camera including the NEX 7 and none measured up to the E-M5. In fact, nmerous other have reported the samething and they are quickly attacked certain Sony people.

"Post-purchase rationalization, also known as Buyer's Stockholm Syndrome, is a cognitive bias whereby someone who purchases an expensive product or service overlooks any faults or defects in order to justify their purchase." (Wikipedia)

In other words, the opinion of users is not necessarily a reliable means to assess the value of a product, and a fanboy of one system can easily become a fanboy on another system.

You like OM-D better than NEX-7? digitalcamerainfo.com rated NEX-7 ahead of OM-D. Is you opinion any more valid than their's?

DSLR users switching in droves? M43 started from zero against a huge DSLR market, so the direction could only be one way.

I've owned NEX and M43 and wouldn't personally go back to M43 because the smaller sensor doesn't give you shallow enough DOF for my liking. I now own an RX100, and I've read a number of accounts of mirrorless users switching to RX100, but we're not trumpeting the death of mirrorless like some OM-D users are the death of APS-C.

No one is listening to fact information or accept the fact information. Oh lalala I am ignoring you flaming and trolling people. I believed this as a fact. Either accept this as a fact or shut the heck up and go somewhere else! I think this comment need to be closed/locked up. That would be a lot more peaceful. Olympus PWNED every company so far. It is not hard to win the competition. :P

EM-5 IS a Great camera, but its mainly you zealots trying to make it more than it is and continue to create controversy by posting so much pure nonsense. Just read thru all the hype...

"" However, if you look at Flickr stats, you'll see the OM-D is being used more than the NEX7, or, in fact, any other Sony camera."

I would think Getty is a better source to compare - Photographers, - users, but I dont think the Em5 even meets the requirments (?) or just hardly no one uses it proffesionaly to take pictures that are sold there because I couldn't find it on the list to compare.

Flicker?

In fact on Flicker there are more than twice the number of Nex camera users, or can only compare the Nex7? Better go add them up.

Do you want to even compare just APS-C from Sony to all 43 sensors on flicker? LOL!

Total use? iIs >Canon, NIkon, Apple , Sony then Panosonic with Oly coming after that. And you can extrapulate the detail yourself.

"There are no reliable sources for global sales figures of cameras. However, if you look at Flickr stats, you'll see the OM-D is being used more than the NEX7, or, in fact, any other Sony camera. On Flickr, the OM-D is being used more than any other mirrorless interchangable-lens camera from any manufacturer. And it's only been available for 8 months."

Flicker? Wow, 43 and P&S pics among iphones and..nice try, Try Getty where real pictures are actually baught and sold and see how many turn up, do let us know.

Sales? You can't find reliable sources? AMazon is the worlds largest online seller of cameras and enough has been posted to show it sure an't no Em-5.

Amazon doesn't consolidate camera kits by body, so where a camera has multiple kits it creates distortions: in the case of the OM-D: silver body only, black body only, silver kit with 14-42mm, black kit with 14-42mm, silver kit with 12-50mm, black kit with 12-50mm are all separate cameras. In addition there may be kits organised in different ways that are counted separately.

If there was only one desirable kit, then it wouldn't matter so much, but unfortunately all these kits and body only options are frequently purchased. Amazon doesn't give sales numbers so there is no way to get total sales of cameras offered in multiple colours/kits from Amazon data.

As i said, on this site, the Olympus OM-D is the highest ranked camera released in 2012 in terms of the number of images uploaded to Galleries or entered in Challenges. And we see the OM-D leads in the number of people uploading images daily (from mirrorless, interchangeable-lens cameras) to Flickr.

I think there is a strong argument for letting the market show what new camera of 2012 is the best compromise between cost and value for the most people, and I think it's totally fair that people argue this point. It isn't the only reasonable way to look at a poll like this though, so don't be angry about people reading this poll differently.

The brief of the poll was to vote for the "best camera" in the sense of the camera "that stood out the most for you", I interpret that as "most remarkable". In this context I'm sure we're looking for that in the positive sense.

What made the top contenders remarkable? The Canon 5D3 seems to be a solid upgrade of an already great camera. The Nikon D800 offers remarkable resolution for a small-format camera. And the OM-D is a remarkable return to the form factor and ergonomics of the 70's SLR with some extra bells and whistles.

None of them are bad cameras, though they're all compromises in terms of features etc.

- The Leica M Monochrome, for showing that less is sometimes more- The Fujifilm X-Pro 1 for it's great ergonomics and beautiful images- The Sony RX1 and RX100 for pushing the envelope for big-sensor point-and-shoots- The Lytro light-field camera for innovating what a camera is supposed to do- The Canon 6D and Nikon D600 for starting the trend of more affordable 135 FF DSLRs.

Certainly on this site the Olympus OM-D E-M5 shows its popularity. Look at the right panel on this page and under "Top cameras". The OM-D appears second under "Galleries", and 6th under "Challenges". There's no camera released in 2012 that appears higher in either of these two "Top cameras" lists.

You are confusing review clicks, which jumped when this article was posted, to the Galleries and Challenges tabs where photographers publish actual photos. One of the reasons the OM-D won this poll is simply that it's a camera photographers like to use. Those numbers are reflected here, in Flickr, and elsewhere.

There are no reliable sources for global sales figures of cameras. However, if you look at Flickr stats, you'll see the OM-D is being used more than the NEX7, or, in fact, any other Sony camera. On Flickr, the OM-D is being used more than any other mirrorless interchangable-lens camera from any manufacturer. And it's only been available for 8 months.

Calling people who defend a system they love a "fanboy" is getting pretty old.

Insulting people and the systems they like is just weird and immature.

Over the 50+ years that I've enjoyed photography I've enjoyed many fine formats and brands and I've never felt it neccessary to put down or denigrate another enthusiust or their gear. Neither have I been put down in the real world.

For a person so concerned with "old" , immaturity and age that has posted in this thread on the backs of others comments more than 50 times I might be thinking of how much time you have waisted trying to insult the intelligance of others and how much time you could be spending with your OMD.

Most Micro Four Thirds users are former Canikon, Sony or Pentax DSLR owners.If you watch the M43 forum everyday there is another post from someone making the switch from the larger DSLRs.This really seems to bother the old school guys and we see it here. They get really upset when DPR and LensRentals post test results that prove, " Phase-detection autofocus (even using still targets and center-point only) wasn’t nearly as accurate as contrast detection."

Really, anyone with half a brain knows CD AF is better than PD AF on >stills because "better" in this case means more accurate, on stills. who would question that? Speed? whole different answer and everyone knows that as well. You get 0 points.

CD is not exclusive to MFT, nor to the EM5, what are you trying to say? Hello? 0 points.

A lot of DSLR users have switched to smaller formats or in probably most cases have augmented what they use. But to say they have switched to MFT is a big stretch.

Where the votes count are the ones where real money is used, Sales my friend and APS-C continue to have a larger market share globaly. 0 points.

Zero.

Nex? You can chose CD or PD, so what? IS the NEX better? Y and N, its all what the USER wants, I am so glad that YOU don't get to pick for me, and visa versa I am sure. Can you knock of the fanboy crap and grow up a little?

I carry an OM-D and a Lumix 20mm f1.7 around town in my shoulder bag. Light compact, no muss, no fuss. Great for landscape, portrait, low light, etc. Mobile photography with a big sensor. When I travel I slap on a 14-150mm zoom but keep the 20mm around as well. I actually did a 4 week trip to Northern India and Nepal and I produced as nice and varied pics as my wife and my father did with their Canon mid tier DSLRs and 18-200mm lenses. I owned the EPL1 for a couple years and Canon and Pentax DSLRs before that; the OMD I find has no draw backs. The EPL1's slow focusing has been improved, image quality is on par with DSLR's and the weight lose and compact size make it a much better fit for crowded markets, street scenes, and self propelled back country travel.

Yes it CAN do C-AF, can it do it as well as a $3000-$8,000 pro model? No, but for the price it does it just fine. I've seen images of a hawk swooping down over a lake, dragging it's wing and then landing on land all shot with the OMD C-AF and the shots are amazing. I personally never use it, but I know several OMD users who have had a lot of success with it.

Sure you can chose it, but the response is so poor under real and normal conditions when light is not its best such as in long reach or at sports events or with your kids playing, or, and etc. etc etc.

No I find your hypocrisy funny, labelling m43 users as "zealots" when you are displaying a large amount of "zeal" yourself, judging by the endless comments of and misinformation/exaggeration you are spreading in this article. An anti m4/3 zealot maybe?

I won't argue with vox populi on the poll... but as far as the Olympus goes, if Maiatani (sp?) was still on the job, he' have found a way to slip a prism into that ersatz prism head and give us an optical viewfinder!!! And I'd be one of the owners of that camera... but alas... it's not 1980 anymore. Someday, if and when, EVFs become indistinguishable from OVFs I'll spring for the OM-D's successor.

Maitani. Yoshihisa Maitani. And if the camera had an optical viewfinder it would need a mirror, so it wouln't be a MIRRORLESS camera anymore... Anyway, I doubt Maitani would be willing to make a pastiche of his own creation. I'm sure he'd come up with something very different.

The Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX digital slr camera is one of the best camera of all times. The quality and details that can be captured by this camera is truly inspiring and breathtaking. Can check it out at www.buybestdslrcameras.com

I'm a Nikon user, born and bred, but you have to admit that the Olympus OM-D looks sexy! Technicalities aside, it's got a certain aesthetic touch that most DSLRs lack. Just like todays cars, they all look the same; and then you get the Zondas and Koenigseggs!Oh well! Back to my outdated D200 I suppose...

How are you born and bred as a Nikon user? Did your mom feed you with a Nikon logo'ed milk bottle -- were you taught to disassemble and reassemble a complete Nikon F2 with MD2 and battery pack before you learned to tie your shoes shoes? Were you taught the recipe for Nikon glass as a teenager? As a photographer most of my life (55) I've learned they are tools... and not religions or political parties. Just sayin... I have both Canon and Nikon DSLRs and appreciate the pros and cons of each... as well as how Fuji, Lumix, and others see cameras.

@ Paul Farace:You sound just like my 8-year old daughter! The reason why I mentioned that I'm a" Nikon born & bred" is so that I can compliment Olympus on a good design without sounding biased. And yes, I've used a lot of manufacturing brands in years gone by, and have always loved Nikon. I prefer Nikon and thats that. Thats my choice, and I fail to understand your problem. Unless, of course, you enjoy playing the nanny goat.. naughty naughty me a Nikon user for saying the Olympus OM-D looks good!

I am eagerly waiting for the NEX FF 32MP announcment hopefully at CES becaause I dont think the Nex7m will comparatively pack enough punch even though it is rumored to have a lot of upgrades (Think RX1 with interchangable lenses). :)

RX100 would have been a fine choice in the poll. IMO this year it is just "very good camera," but in 2013 I'm pretty sure it would see competition, what hopefully would improve greatly the enthusiast compact market.

> I am eagerly waiting for the NEX FF 32MP announcment [...]

Oh no. Please no. I'm tired of the MP race. If Sony goes to 32MP in middle range, then many if not all would follow. Even 20MP RAW is already a burden: slow to write to the card, slow to upload to the PC. And in the end most of the images are converted to web resolution (2-4MP!!!) anyway.

Though I would be OK if the cameras, as an option, would do some MP-reducing-IQ-enhancing magic in the hardware and produce RAW file of half/quarter size/resolution. So I can transfer it quickly and still play with the RAW development parameters.

Oh what a joy of full of troll filling up again! I hope I can be a copper and take him to jail for hacking the forum to allow him to return under the nose of dpreview forum. You blinking Just Posted come here and listen to me you twerp! You broke the rules and/or law by many section: Flaming/Trolling, abusing the forum (by hacking dpreview to allow you to access back into forum while banned is/was not lifted) your ip (True ip from internet provider not the dynamic ip by connect its different is the only one true ip is banned and you would never be able to return). You still come back and I blinking knew you hack it. I hope you get caught soon. You blinking also listen to me: Leave the blinking people alone and back off! Or else your next! Got it eh? Now sod off!

He he, this thread may not have much photographic merit but it is entertaining and also very revealing about some of the members who are pouring vitriol on the camera that just happened to win the poll. Take Just Posted, for instance; I can tell from his attitude and the rubbish he writes that he has never taken a decent photograph in his life, without the need to see his gallery.

The camera is just a tool, for goodness sake. Don't waste your energy constantly belittling the tool I happen to find appropriate for my needs when it is quite obvious you've never actually used an E-M5, I won't be influenced by your misinformed ramblings. Just go and get some much-needed practise with your own camera, whatever that is (and I don't care).

Scott Bourne writes:"It’s been a month now and I haven’t used my DSLR professionally in four weeks. I’ve shot exclusively with my Olympus OM-D EM-5 camera bodies and micro four thirds lenses. [...]The Olympus is not a perfect camera. Shock. Of course there is no such thing. But for me, (not necessarily you) it is as close as I’ll come right now."

We should all stop, new technology coming every year, new models will just show up when you just feel good with your full system, all these review site will just make you spend more money, everyone should focus on skills not specs :)

"So at the end of an incredibly busy year we want to know which cameras stood out for you."

That is the poll question quoted from the original poll.

All the concerned posters, both new and old, should keep that in mind.The poll results may not make sense to some people, the OM-D may have many design flaws, it is clearly not the best photographic tool for the majority of photographers.

It is the camera that "stood out" for the majority of voters in 2012 however.

Why? You can be sure the competition is asking that question. If some of you don't know the answer, it certainly isn't the camera for you.

Every forum has one...Just Posted - Joined: Jan 2, 2013 - No Avatar - No gallery - 30 negative posts all in the same section ever hour of the day (he is responding to people in seconds, LOL!).Coroander caught him below which was hilarious. :)

LOL, that was the funniest post on the Internet below when "Just Posted" claimed his posts are not sour grapes!Of course he created multiple accounts to post negative comments in only this one section, has attacked most posters, name called, and so far has posted close to 30 times all hours of the day, BUT it is NOT sour grapes!

Anyway, the IBIS is what seperates the E-M5 from other cameras. It is funny that for years Sony boasted about how important their less functional version was, but then they stripped it off the NEX (it is still on virtually every other camera they sell) in order to force people to pay extra for it on every lens...pay extra for IS that still is not as good. :)

Thank you for alerting us to this trickery, Everdog.Of course it should be easier to move a sensor instead of glass.

I remember when Sony was known to squeeze extra money from proprietary accessories at inflated prices wherever possible, memory cards were one example. Looks like they found a way to do it in a more underhanded way now, at our expense. Another corporation working against its own customers.

Let's make the ensuing PR cost as high as possible so lost sales will make them think again.

Flickr counts users as people using the camera. That is the average daily number of different people uploading pictures from the camera. So it's the OM-D which is actually being used more than any other interchangeable lens camera other than Nikon or Canons.

strange that the user known as Youdidn'tknowdidyou uses the flickr argument so many times it's gotten boring, and now a brand new user uses the same argument, you wanna be careful there matey as you'll get banned if they find out.

Dear dpr, may i suggest to simply drop the poll and this article. All those just posted comments really do not reflect very well on dpr as a site seriously dedicated to photography equipment. I understand that you need the clicks but this has turned into a kindergarden with lots of stupid brats and dpr as helpless or not really interested nanny. Rather embarrassing.